Horizon Aircraft has revealed that it will use BETA’s flight control computers on its Cavorite X7 hybrid VTOL. Horizon says the companies’ partnership will allow them to leverage the development of their aircraft using a fly-by-wire (FBW) architecture that has been designed specifically for wing in cruise VTOLs pointing out that BETA has designed its flight control computer (FCC) to support certification pathways for FAA Part 21.17(b) powered-lift, Part 23, and Part 25 applications, as well as future international regulatory frameworks including Transport Canada and EASA requirements.
“At BETA, our ambition has always been to build the key technologies that move the aviation industry forward,” said Kyle Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BETA Technologies speaking about the announcement. “Horizon Aircraft has a strong team capable of designing and flying the X7, and they chose our flight control computers because we built them to meet the most rigorous standards in the industry. They’re compact, purpose-built for powered-lift, and designed with the certification discipline that DAL-A software and hardware development demands.”
“Flight controls are at the heart of our aircraft, so the process of selecting a flight controls partner was done methodically,” added Tom Brassington, Chief Technology Officer, Horizon Aircraft. “We were attracted to BETA because of their sophisticated VTOL-specific FBW platform, a shared engineering philosophy, and the ability to support the rigorous long-term program requirements of aircraft certification.”
In addition says Horizon using the same flight control computers BETA’s Alia aircraft the companies will also benefit from greater economies of scale ‘that reduce component costs and strengthen manufacturing efficiency’.
Image: Horizon
